Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Sue I’m sorry you’re feeling fatigued and anxious. I've been on Tamoxifen for nearly 3 years now, the first 6 months were awful, fatigue, lethargy, sore joints, depression, anxiety and low mood.  My GP was amazing and she was convinced it was all the side effects of the drug and that I wasn’t going mad!   I started on a course of Mirtazapine, I still have blue days and tired days but they’re rare and I’m back to loving life.  I’d encourage you to speak to your GP, it’s not you it’s the meds! good luck Maggie x  ... View more

Hi, hope you’re feeling less nauseous. The nausea could be linked to anxiety.  Like you I had my ER+ diagnosis, coil removal & lumpectomy very quickly and close together.  I found radiotherapy a few months later very tiring.  If I’m not too late, My advice would be to make sure you do your physio throughout radio and well beyond to avoid a frozen shoulder.  Stick with the tamoxifen and talk to your GP about any side effects, including the headaches and nausea.  I’m 2 yrs on and doing well.  If you miss the hormones from the coil, be open minded about anti-depressants, they’re saved me!  All the best x  ... View more

DebsE I’ve had the 1in 3, 1 in 4 remark too, love it when people think aloud... I’m sure you don’t need me to say it, but the decision to cold cap is yours and yours alone, nothing to do with vanity or anyone else, we all make the best treatment decisions for us and none of us want to even have to!! All the very best for your treatment Mxx ... View more

Oh Mrs G - what quick thinking, always good to see the funny side. Maggie x ... View more

Hi Ladies Happy New Year, hope you all had good Christmases, I did far too much and ended up in bed for 48 hours over new year, but it was nice to see so many people and catch up. Two menopause’s is at least one too many in my view - the only upside of having BC at 48 is the side effects of Tamoxifen and the menopause will all hopefully roll into one 5 year period & most of my friends are periodically forgetful & a tad warm too. I had my final review with the Oncology team this week and it was great to be signed off as ‘done’, thank you all for sharing, this thread has really helped me. I hope everyone had a warm and healthy start to 2019. Maggie x ... View more

Seaside sar it’s a great forum for venting isn’t it? Sorry you’ve had insensitive comments too, rest assured there’s always some here to share with. I hope your treatments are going as well as can be expected. Maggie x ... View more

Well I had a shocker today. A relative I’ve not seen since before my diagnosis dropped by for a cuppa and came out with “its nice that you’ve not been that ill with it” I avoided eye contact with my husband as there were youngsters present- but I know you’ll understand I wanted to shout “ it was cancer, no I didn’t have chemo, but it wasn’t the flu!” ... View more

Hi, I found both Vasaline and Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream good - had the same problem with my nails and cuticles, assumes it’s because I’ve had gel bails for years. Hope you find something soothing soon. Maggie x ... View more

Tili,what a shockingly insensitive BCN, words fail me M x ... View more

Me not mum! ... View more

Hi Pecan, I think you're right, I'm certain she didn't mean to upset mum. ... View more

Ironically I wasn't overweight when I developed cancer.  I think she's decided the only thing she can see that I can control to prevent it coming back, not that she thinks it's my own fault... but it was hard not to hear that at the time!  ... View more

Oh Charys you'd think the hospital staff would know better!  Well done you for getting through the interview.   I've a friend who's developed a theory that I need to lose weight, really quickly, and should see this as a wake up call! I was perfectly healthy before BC, and yes I've gained weight since diagnosis, but I'm losing it slowly with GP support to make sure it doesn't yoyo back on, apparently I need to do more than my GP is asking of me... and quickly.... ... View more

B74 - you're right we need the laughs, and people aren't insensitive deliberately.   Your post really made me smile, it  reminded me of the lady who said, "if I was you I'd just have them both off" - like a double mastectomy is a lifestyle choice with no emotional impact, medical complications or risks!!    ... View more

Likewise I wa bored but couldn’t concentrate on anything too much. I enjoyed reading the Miss Fortune series by Jana De Leon. Jigsaws too. Hope you’re healing well Mx ... View more

Oh Melanie what a brilliantly awful collection of clumsy comments- I’m glad I made you smile. I’ve had my op and rads and now settling into the shock to the system that is Tamoxifen & people’s assumptions about me being ‘done’! Have a fabulous holiday and remember the lovely ladies on this forum are a great source of support when you start treatment. Pastamissus - I’m really sorry to hear you need more treatment. Love & hugs Maggie xx ... View more

4 weeks tonight since I finished and my energy levels are back to normal & my skin is still tanned but no longer red or dry. I lost a layer of dark skin, like a tan pealing, and it’s felt ‘normal’ ever since. No adverse effects from returning to deodorant, perfume or swimming I’m pleased to say. Helena is right, keeping up fluids and moisturising really helps I think. Enjoy tonight Bibi, it’s a date to celebrate 🎉 Maggie x ... View more

Well done Bibi, ringing bells for you 🔔 🔔 🔔 🔔 ... View more

Well done GreenDamsel it is a milestone indeed! Ringing some bells on here for you 🔔 🔔 🔔 🔔 Relax and enjoy the rest of your day Mx ... View more

Thanks Bibi. Really sorry to hear your machine’s broken, everything crossed they fix it so you can finish Monday instead - horrid to have milestones moved. Sometimes BC feels like one long round of waiting... enjoy the fresh air, Dovedale is lovely isn’t it? Mx Wombat Woo, sorry no idea why I thought you finished this Thursday!! Congratulations 🔔 🔔 x ... View more